Saudis Bury Crown Prince in Mecca

Attention Turns to Succession Plans; Prince Salman Is Expected to Be Named New Crown Prince

By

Ellen Knickmeyer

Updated June 18, 2012 11:59 a.m. ET

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—The surviving sons of King Abdulaziz gathered in the holy city of Mecca to bury the second heir to the throne within eight months, moving the succession process closer to a new generation in a family determined to maintain stability as the Middle East is gripped by political change.